Reconnected Rivers Program Associate

What We Can Achieve Together: The Reconnected Rivers Program Associate   is   a key position   for   the growth of   The Nature Conservancy’s   Reconnected   Appalachian   Rivers   Strategy , serving   both the West Virginia Business Unit and the Appalachians Program.   This position   represents   an opportunity to help accelerate freshwater restoration across   the   Appalachia ns   by advancing projects that reconnect rivers, improve aquatic habitat and benefit communities .   The Program Associate will work closely with other TNC staff, partner organizations and agencies,   engineering firms,   contractors   and community groups to restore connectivity   to enable   aquatic organism passage and   enhance   flood resilience in high-priority streams and rivers.   The Program Associate will   advance the   objectives   of the Appalachians Free Rivers Accelerator,   a regional initiative that works with partners to accelerate dam removal and reconnect rivers throughout the Appalachians .      Two-year term position with a possibility to renew.   Early application is encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  Work Location:  This position will be based in West Virginia and working out of the Elkins office at least one day per week, with occasional travel throughout West Virginia and the region.      We’re Looking for You: Based in West Virginia,   50% of the Program Associate’s responsibilities will   focus on building   a new Reconn ected Riv ers pro gram for   the   West Virginia Business Unit   by   work ing   with key partners   to   Identify, envision, develop, oversee and support dam removal, culvert replacement   and   floodplain r estoration   projects   in priority landscapes.   T he other   50%   of the Program Associate ’ s responsibilities will focus on supporting   a key initiative of the Appalachians Program —the   Free Rivers Accelerator —by   a dvanc ing   dam removal projects in   two   or   three   additional   Appalachian s tates .     Responsibilities and Scope:   West Virginia:     As part of the West Virginia Business Unit, the Program Associate will report   primarily   to the Director of Conservation Programs and coordinate with   Conservation, Finance,   Marketing/Communications,   Operations,   Development and Policy   staff   as needed.    Serve as a member of West Virginia’s Conservation Team, contributing river conservation skills and   expertise   to support the team’s work to protect, manage and restore critical lands and waters.    Support , lead   and/or manage projects   with partners   as they progress through   project development and   planning,   grant- writing   and proposal development, contracting, project   design, permitting, construction ,   monitoring   and evaluation .   Appalachians Program :   Within the Appalachians Program, the Program Associate will   report secondarily   to the Director of the Appalachians Free Rivers Accelerator and coordinate   with relevant Appalachians staff and supported Business Units.     Work with statewide   networks ,   TNC   Business Units, engineering firms and partners to   identify   priority projects, support early engineering and grant development, track project   progress   and help ensure successful completion of project deliverables .       Help   identify   and   advance a portfolio of priority dam removal projects in approximately two   or   three states .   R esponsibilities   for both roles :   Build trusted relationships with partners and serve as a collaborative problem-solver across organizations and interests.   Manage  external relationships, budgets, subcontractors, timelines and tracking progress and outcomes.     Work   within and manag e   complex budgets to complete projects.    Be ready to   travel   as needed   to   TNC and partner offices and   project sites   within the area of work   and to   safely   and   occasionally work in variable weather conditions , at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.    Focus communications and information sharing between W est   V irginia  and Appalachians staff.    The Program Associate may   be required   to negotiate,   draft   and manage contracts for engineering design, project construction and manage contractors to obtain project completion.    What You’ll Bring: BA/BS, law, or business degree   AND   5 years’ experience in natural resource management or related field,   OR   equivalent combination of education and experience.    Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.    Proficiency   in GIS   a nd standard office applications (Microsoft Word, Excel ) ,   and Web Browsers .    Flexibility to adapt and change course as program requirements dictate.    ​ Desired Qualifications: Knowledge of freshwater conservation practice and conservation science.   Specialization in aquatic habitat restoration, freshwater   ecology   and/or fisheries restoration.    Experience with dam removal and culvert replacement/aquatic organism passage projects.    Experience coordinating multiple   and   complex projects, setting realistic deadlines, managing time lines   and completing tasks independently.     Experience negotiating complex agreements.  Experience managing,   coordinating   and tracking projects, budgets,   contracts   and subcontracts.    Experience   building trust and working   effectively and respectfully with a variety of partners in government   agencies , indigenous   communities , non-profit   organizations ,   local communities, businesses,   landowners  and the public.    Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).  Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated .     Ability to travel and work in remote field conditions, including rugged terrain and variable w